[Transdermal use of nitroglycerin]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology

Context:

• Transdermal nitroglycerin is increasingly used for pharmacotherapy.
• It ensures prolonged therapeutic drug levels in blood serum.
• Clinical experience is extensive in effort angina and other ischemic heart diseases.

Purpose:

• To summarize the efficacy and application of transdermal nitroglycerin.
• To highlight its benefits in various forms of ischemic heart disease.

Summary:

• Transdermal nitroglycerin improves exercise tolerance, increases pain threshold, and delays ECG changes.
• It also reduces anginal attack frequency and benefits hemodynamics in myocardial infarction with heart failure.
• Early results for silent myocardial ischemia are promising.

Impact:

• Transdermal nitroglycerin offers a sustained and effective treatment option for ischemic heart disease.
• Understanding tolerance is key for optimal dosing intervals (12 hours).